Bell 204/205

:"For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey" Infobox Aircraft
name=Bell 204 / 205


caption=Kern County (California) Fire Department's Bell 205 departs from the Mojave Spaceport
type=Multipurpose utility helicopter
manufacturer=Bell Helicopter Textron
designer=
first flight=October 22, 1956
introduced=1959
retired=
status=
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=
unit cost=
developed from = UH-1 Iroquois
variants with their own articles = Bell 212 Bell 214 Panha Shabaviz 2-75

The Bell 204 and 205 are the civil versions of the ubiquitous UH-1 Iroquois military helicopters. These models are used in a wide variety of applications, including crop dusting, cargo lifting, and one of its most common uses, aerial firefighting.

Development

Bell designed its Model 204 in response to a 1955 United States Army requirement for a utility helicopter. The 204 was a giant step forward in helicopter design, being one of the first to be powered by a turboshaft. The turboshaft engine radically improved the practicality of the helicopter due to its light weight and high power to weight ratio, lower fuel consumption, and lower maintenance and operating costs. The use of a turboshaft in the 204 allowed it to carry a useful payload over respectable ranges and at reasonable speeds, which resulted in the 204 and subsequent 205 becoming the most successful western helicopter series in terms of numbers built.Frawley, Gerard: "The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004", page 44. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7]

The civil 204B was first delivered in 1961. The subsequent Model 205A-1 is equivalent to the UH-1H, which, compared to the 204, is longer, larger, and has better performance and a more powerful engine.

Over 60 civil Model 204Bs had been delivered by 1967, while further examples were built by Agusta-Bell up until 1973. 12,000 Model 205s (including civil 205A-1s) were built by Bell and Agusta-Bell up to the early 1980s. Numerous ex military 204s and 205s converted for commercial use.

Variants

Bell 204

Bell Helicopter's company designation of the UH-1B.
* Bell 204B - Civil or military utility transport helicopter, derived from the UH-1B. Powered by a T53-09A, max weight was 8,500 lbs, max passengers, 10. [http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/1f2c7b0cfe3afe288625733a006b57df/$FILE/H1SW.pdf FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet H1SW for the 204, 205A, 205A-1 and 210 models] ]
* Agusta-Bell AB 204 - Civil or military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.
* Fuji-Bell 204B-2 - Civil or military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries. Used by the Japan Ground Self Defence Force under the name Hiyodori.

Bell 205

Bell Helicopter's company designation of the UH-1H.
* Bell 205A - Civil or military utility transport helicopter. Powered by one T53-11A, max weight 8,500 pounds, max passenger, 14.
** Agusta-Bell 205 - Civil or military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Italy by Agusta.
* Bell 205A-1 - Civil or military utility transport helicopter version, initial version based on the UH-1H. Powered by one T53-13A, max weight 9,500 pounds (10,500 for external loads), max passengers, 14.
** Agusta-Bell 205A-1 - Modified version of the AB 205.
** Fuji-Bell 205A-1 - Civil or military utility transport helicopter. Built under licence in Japan by Fuji.
* Bell 205B- Bell's early version of the 210 built in the late 70's; only 5 were built and sold. Had 212 nose, up-rated T53-17 engine, K-Flex drive-shaft, 212 main rotor blades, tail-rotor blades. Max weight, 10,500 pounds (11,200 external), max passengers, 14.
* Bell 210 - Bell Helicopters designation for a UH-1H remanufactured and sold as a new aircraft. Powered by one T53-17B, same weight capacities as the 205B.

Experimental models

* Agusta-Bell 205BG - Prototype fitted with two Gnome H 1200 turboshaft engines. [http://www.vectorsite.net/avhuey.html Greg Goebel's Vectorsite in Public Domain] ]
* Agusta-Bell 205TA - Prototype fitted with two Turbomeca Astazous turboshaft engines.
*Bell 208 In 1965, Bell experimented with a single twin-engine Model 208 "Twin Huey" prototype, which was a UH-1D fitted with Continental XT67-T-1 engine module, consisting of two T72-T-2 turboshaft engines driving a common gearbox. This exercise was performed as an experiment using company funds.
*RH-2 - Research helicopter.Fact|date=January 2008

Upgrades

* 205A++ - Field upgraded 205A utilizing a T53-17 engine and a 212 rotor system. Similar to the production 205B and 210.
* Advanced 205B - Proposed upgraded Japanese version.Fact|date=January 2008
* Global Eagle - Pratt & Whitney Canada name for a modified UH-1H with a new PT6C-67D engine, modified tail rotor, and other minor changes reported to increase range and fuel efficiency over the Bell 212. [cite web|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/print/rw/military/utility/1824.html|title=Eagle Power|publisher= [http://www.aviationtoday.com Aviation Today] |author=Douglas W. Nelms|date=2005-11-01|accessdate=2007-03-17]
* Huey 800 - Upgraded commercial version, fitted with an LHTEC T800 turboshaft engine.Fact|date=January 2008

Derivatives

* Bell 211 - The "HueyTug", was a commercial version of the UH-1C with an upgraded transmission, longer main rotor, larger tailboom, strengthened fuselage, stability augmentation system, and a 2,650 shp (1,976 kW) T55-L-7 turboshaft engine.cite web|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Rotary/skycranes/HE13.htm|title=Skycranes|publisher= [http://www.centennialofflight.gov Centennial of Flight Commission] |accessdate=2007-03-15]

* Bell 212 - Bell Helicopters company designation for the UH-1N.

* Bell 214 Huey Plus - Strengthened development of the Bell 205 airframe with a larger engine; optimized for "hot and high" conditions. Later developed into the larger, twin-engined Bell 214ST.

* Bell 412 - Bell 212 with a four-bladed semi-rigid rotor system.

* Panha Shabaviz 2-75 - Unlicensed version made by Panha in Iran.

Operators

Military operators

:For all military operators, regardless of the actual model, see List of UH-1 Iroquois operators"

Civil operators

;CAN
*Heli-North Aviation;COL
*Helicol Colombia;ESA
*Air Force;ITA;LAO;MEX
*Air America helicopters were formerly registered with XW registration.;NZL
*Helipro;POR
*Aeroavia;SWE
*Osterman Helicopter AB;SUI
*Heliswiss;USA
*Clear Creek Copters
*Helipro Completions
*Rotorcraft Support
*San Joaquin Helicopters
*WorldWind Helicopters

Governmental operators

;USA
*California Department of Forestry
*NASA
*United States Border Patrol
*Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Fire-fighting operators

;ITA
*Vigili Del Fuoco;USA
*Orange County Fire Authority
*Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
*Kern County Fire Department
*Florida Division of Forestry
*CalFire

Medical operators

;USA
*Dare County EMS

Police operators

;BRA
*Brazilian Federal Police;MEX
*Federal Preventive Police;THA
*Royal Thai Police;USA
*United States Border Patrol
*Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
*Monroe County Sheriff's Office
*San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
*Seminole County Sheriff's Office
*Ventura County Sheriff's Department

pecifications (204B)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=copter
jet or prop?=prop
ref=The International Directiory of Civil Aircraft
crew=1-2
capacity=3,000 lb (1,360 kg) including up to 8-9 passengers, or equivalent cargo
length main=41 ft 8 in
length alt=12.69 m
span main=48 ft 0 in
span alt=14.63 m
height main=14 ft 7 in
height alt=4.5 m
area main=1,808 ft²
area alt=168.0 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main=4,600 lb
empty weight alt=2,085 kg
loaded weight main= lb
loaded weight alt= kg
useful load main= lb
useful load alt= kg
max takeoff weight main=9,500 lb
max takeoff weight alt=4,310 kg
more general=
engine (jet)=
type of jet=
number of jets=
thrust main= lbf
thrust alt= kN
thrust original=
afterburning thrust main= lbf
afterburning thrust alt= kN
engine (prop)=Lycoming T53-L-11A
type of prop=turboshaft
number of props=1
power main=1,100 shp
power alt=820 kW
power original=
max speed main=120 knots
max speed alt=135 mph, 220 km/h
cruise speed main= 111 knots
cruise speed alt=125 mph, 205 km/h
never exceed speed main= knots
never exceed speed alt= mph, km/h
stall speed main= knots
stall speed alt= mph, km/h
range main=300 nm
range alt= mi, 533 km
ceiling main=19,390 ft
ceiling alt=5,910 m
climb rate main=1,755 ft/min
climb rate alt=8.9 m/s
loading main= lb/ft²
loading alt= kg/m²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= hp/lb
power/mass alt= W/kg
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

References

*Chant, Christopher, "Fighting Helicopters of the 20th Century," Graham Beehag Books, Christchurch, Dorset, England (1996).
*Debay, Yves, "Combat Helicopters," France: Histoire & Collections (1996)
*Drendel, Lou. "UH-1 in Action". Carrolton, TX: Squadron Signal. ISBN 0-89747-179-2
*Francillon, Rene, J. "Vietnam: The War in the Air" New York: Arch Cape Press (1987)
*Mesko, Jim, "Airmobile: The Helicopter War in Vietnam," Squadron Signal Publications (1984).
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=73 Specifications for 204, 205 and 214 Huey Plus]
*Mutza, Wayne. "UH-1 Huey in Colors". Carrolton, TX: Squadron Signal. ISBN 0-89747-279-9

ee also

aircontent
related=
* UH-1 Iroquois
* AH-1 Cobra
* UH-1N Twin Huey
* Bell 212
* Bell 214
* Bell 412
similar aircraft=
sequence=
* 47 - 200 - 201 - 204 - 205 - 206 - 207 - 209
lists=
* List of active military aircraft of the United States
see also=
* US Helicopter Armament Subsystems

External links

* [http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/military/bellHueyII.cfm Bell Helicopter Official Huey II site]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/uh-1.htm FAS.org Huey profile]
* [http://www.mojojets.com/helo-UH1B.htm UH-1B history on Mojojets.com]
* [http://www.mojojets.com/helo-UH1H.htm UH-1H history on Mojojets.com]
* [http://www.hueybravo.net/Airforcepage/Huey.htm Philippine Air Force Huey II Project]
* [http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/0884valor.asp An account of a Medal of Honor rescue flying a Green Hornet]
* [http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_204_en.php Bell 204 Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net]
* [http://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acdata_php/acdata_205_en.php Bell 205 Specs & Photo on flugzeuginfo.net]